KOHIMA — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday inaugurated the ‘Prelude to Hornbill,’ a two-day food and music festival at Imagi.Land, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
The food and music festival is funded by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, supported by Nagaland Tourism and managed by imagi.NATION. It will feature live music concerts, food stalls, kid’s carnival, art installations, a book corner, photo booth, etc.
The chief minister also held a review meeting with line departments and sectoral departments at the Bamboo Heritage Hall, Kisama, with an emphasis on cleanliness and hospitality.
Rio said that several guests, including officials from other countries, would be attending the ten-day festival, and urged the departments to sincerely look into all aspects for the success of the festival.
Rio also highlighted the importance of cleanliness and called upon the gathering to create awareness of it. He asked the people to help and cater to the needs of the tourists so they can have a pleasant stay and take away good memories of Nagaland. He also called upon the business community to sell quality products at a competitive price.
After inspecting the venue, he conveyed contentment with the progress of the preparations for the upcoming Hornbill Festival 2023.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The chief minister appreciated the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation for resolving to participate in the upcoming festival. While recognising the advancements achieved in organising the Hornbill Festival over the years, he anticipated even greater success as the festival reaches its 25th edition in 2024. Additionally, he expressed hope for the grand celebration of this year’s edition.
During the review meeting, Chief Secretary J Alam highlighted the progress and activities taken up by the respective departments. He affirmed that the festival, with the collective participation of all tribes, will be celebrated on a grand scale. Alam urged everyone to present the state in the most favorable manner and reassured that all relevant departments are diligently working to the best of their capabilities.
Line departments including Tourism, Art and Culture, and Agri and Allied departments, among others, provided updates on their progress and outlined future activities. The vote of thanks was delivered by the Secretary of Tourism.
Meanwhile, Minister for Tourism, Temjen Imna Along lauded the chief minister for envisioning the Hornbill Festival and bringing all the tribes together to showcase their rich culture and traditions, and also providing a platform to the local entrepreneurs. He was also appreciative of the line departments for their effort to make the Festival a success and asked them to continue the good work.
Minister Along outlines plans to transform Kisama into true heritage village
Following the meeting, minister Along held an interaction with media persons, where he remarked that this year’s edition would be a ‘record for partnering with countries.’
Many foreign delegates are coming to the Hornbill Festival, he said, emphasising that the festival is not just about showcasing the traditional, cultural and contemporary Nagas but also an invitation for other nations to partner with the state through investments and collaborations in the government sector and the people.
He asserted that Nagaland has significantly gained from its partnerships with other nations, emphasising that the ‘alienation’ of its people is diminishing. Now, Nagaland is recognised by nations across the world, he added.
The minister extended invitation to tourists from India and around the world, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the traditional, cultural, and contemporary facets of Nagaland showcased at the festival. Along assured them that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Further, he emphasised that Hornbill Festival 2023 holds special significance as a prelude to the silver jubilee edition of the festival scheduled for 2024. He expressed satisfaction at the participation of the Eastern Nagas, highlighting it as a demonstration of unity among the Nagas.
Addressing concerns about food prices at Kisama, Along assured that measures are in place to prevent exorbitant rates, emphasising the organised setup of food stalls. He is said to have met with stall owners to ensure the display of price boards for transparency. He also outlined plans to transform Kisama into a true heritage village, introducing additional elements.
The minister referenced a study reportedly conducted by a research team of Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, on the Hornbill Festival 2022. The study revealed an expenditure of INR 5 crore, with an overall revenue generation of INR 109 crore, he informed.